Monday

Meditation Intensive in Prison

by Skylar Rickabaugh and Ted Fremd, Snake River Correctional Institution
Week long meditation intensive inside Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) took place this summer. Within an environment of fear and aggression, a small percentage of the inmates chose to experience a space of listening, contemplating, and meditating. “This is the hardest thing I have ever done.”

Under Chaplain Trime Persinger’s coordination, Shastri Frank Ryan generously came to the eastern Oregon “Outback” to direct and co-teach this weekthun, while three Shambhala volunteers at SRCI (Steve Ryman, Ted Fremd, and Skylar Rickabaugh) provided support. Trime’s husband, Steve Reedy, supported this effort by providing good food and gentleness after we returned home at the end of each day. We started with fifty inmates, most of whom had been attending regular meditation sessions that have been offered by Trime for the last 5 years. One-third, though, came from the general prison population, never having meditated at all. Forty men completed the program, which surprised many of the correctional staff; some of which acknowledged, “I couldn’t have done that myself.”

Chaplain Persinger’s dedication to bringing warriorship and open heartedness to this “inside” sangha produced an environment that allowed these men a space to sit with their minds and lean into their experiences, as rough as they might be. It was a Herculean effort for Trime to create the conditions necessary to secure a welcoming space within this stark and cold facility that might enable the practice of 50 inmates seeking inner solace. These entailed catalyzing restrictive circumstances, such as frequent institutional inmate “counts”, daily distribution of medications, arranging for meals, and a bewildering bureaucracy of paperwork necessary for keeping track of these inmates. Trime admitted to us that, “This is the hardest thing I have ever done” – a surprising admission from a long-term kasung. Although this was an unprecedented deviation from normalcy at SRCI, there was generous support among some of the prison staff to make this week work. The Superintendent of the prison supported the program from its inception, and personally shook the hands of the participants during the presentation of Certificates of Completion during a profoundly moving closing-out “feast.”

All felt fortunate to be “doing time with Trime.” Not only was this transforming for most of these inmates, it also moved the staff who experienced these men “taking their seat,” displaying discipline, exertion, and a level of insight that was palpable. Closed, fearful, or angry countenances were transformed into open, peaceful, and even humorous persona’s. These men were very appreciative of this opportunity given them. During group discussions, the inmates learned that many people “on the outside” spend thousands of dollars to do retreats like this and voluntarily sequester themselves for long periods of time. They could see themselves “like monks meditating in caves.” Doing time could be perceived as a wonderful opportunity. Many acknowledged that, without being in prison, they probably would not have been introduced to these teachings and been able to practice. Referring to their cells one inmate said, “there are a lot of caves in here!”

Shastri Ryan said that this is among one of the most profound retreats he has ever taught, and marveled at the level of commitment they had for the practice. Perhaps this feeling was intensified by the stark contrast of our little container as apposed to the environment of the whole prison. It was an intense demarcation! We have a deep appreciation for these men in continuing their practice – “Start Where You Are” has a whole different meaning associated with it in prison.

This is wonderful work. I would love to hear how these men are doing after the weekthun. Are they continuing to practice individually and together? Is the prison administration continuing to be supportive? Is the meditation program affecting the prison beyond the participants? If you have time, I’d love to hear more. Thank you all for this work.
Ki ki so so,
Faith
you can contact me at: [email protected]

Thank you for this good telling. Steve Gorn and I have been leading a weekly buddhist group at Eastern Correctional Facility in Napanoch NY for the past seven years. We have benefited enormously from the contact with these men – because of their honesty and good hearts. At the same time the dynamics with the prison staff and guards has been challenging and deeply triggering for us – a whole other opportunity to see the fundamental goodness in all . . . It is inspiring to hear how much was overcome and handled to allow this long session of meditation to happen. Yes – buddhist terms like “liberation” and “being in the present” take on a whole new meaning inside the prison walls !

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